US, FRENCH NAVY COMPLETE HISTORIC CHESAPEAKE 2018 COMBINED EXERCISE

French Navy Rafales and U.S. Navy Super Hornets conducted combined flight operations aboard the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier.

French Navy and U.S. Navy train together during exercise Chesapeake 2018.

Chesapeake 2018 began in April at Naval Air Station Oceana and continued at sea aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), resulting in a full integration of the French navy air wing into a single, unified carrier air wing. The at-sea portion of the training lasted from May 7-18 and included the French Carrier Air Wing, Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW) 8, and embarked staff from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2.

Chesapeake 2018 provided invaluable training between the U.S. and French carrier strike groups as 301 French sailors embarked onboard the Bush to maintain naval aviation proficiency and develop their expertise for real-world multi-national operations.

The exercise presented multiple combat scenarios including cyclic flight operations and combat search-and-rescues in addition to completing a series of arrested landings and launches by both countries' aircraft, totaling 458 sorties and 752 traps, which resulted in 724.5 flight hours.

During the exercise, more than 180 training evolutions and missions were accomplished onboard the ship, demonstrating the cooperation and interoperability of both navies.

Exercises like Chesapeake 2018 allow participants to develop their expertise and demonstrate current capabilities for real-world multi-national operations with NATO partners to achieve success in carrier strike group operations. Last month, both navies conducted air strikes on Syrian chemical weapons infrastructures, and in June 2016, Adm. Richardson presented the Charles De Gaulle (R-91) with a U.S. Meritorious Unit Commendation for their success of being the only non-U.S Navy entity to take command of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's Task Force 50 during Operation Inherent Resolve.

Chesapeake 2018 is named for the historic battle of Chesapeake during the Revolutionary War during which French naval ships cut off British supply lines to General Charles Cornwallis' army in Yorktown, Virginia. The French navy's engagement stranded Cornwallis' army, and less than eight weeks later he surrendered to Gen. George Washington's Continental Army.

Source, Images: U.S. Navy